Renewed calls to secure New Town status for a major regeneration scheme have been made by the Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Ahead of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review on Wednesday (11th June), the Mayor is urging ministers to grant Liverpool North New Town status in order to supercharge delivery of the 10-year vision.
Under bold plans, Liverpool North would be created on the northern fringe of the city of Liverpool through to Bootle town centre, transforming 5km of brownfield land. The scheme would see 10,000 new homes built.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, said:
“Liverpool North is one of the biggest regeneration opportunities in the country right now – bigger even than Old Trafford – and its potential to transform lives is enormous. We’re talking about 10,000 new homes, thousands of jobs, and a chance to turn round the fortunes of communities that have been held back for far too long.
“From Bootle to Kirkdale, Everton to Anfield, this is a proud part of our city region, rich in history, resilience and potential. We’ve brought local leaders, football clubs, colleges and housing providers together around a single shared vision – and we’re all raring to go.
“We have a real chance to work hand in hand with our government to deliver the kind of joined-up, long-term investment that changes lives. New Town status would be a real catalyst to kickstart that transformation.”
The regeneration of the area, one of Britain’s most deprived, would span Everton, Kirkdale and Anfield and create linkages to key developments such as Everton FC’s Bramley Moore Dock stadium and the city’s waterfront
As part of the regeneration, there are also plans to invest in major improvements to public transport and active travel infrastructure. Enhancing bus, rail, and cycling connections will help better link communities across North Liverpool and South Sefton with jobs, education and leisure opportunities. These upgrades would not only support the delivery of new homes and developments but could also pave the way for more ambitious projects in future – including the case for a new train station to better serve the area.
Collaboration is already underway with key partners including Homes England as well as Liverpool FC and Everton FC. The development is a centrepiece of the Liverpool City Region’s Investment Prospectus, showcased at the recent property exhibitions of MIPIM and UKREiiF.
New Town status is a designation given to certain areas of the UK undergoing significant redevelopment. It brings co-ordinated investment in housing, infrastructure and community spaces and aims to revitalise areas to make them more attractive to live and work.
Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council said:
“New Town status for Anfield, Bootle, Everton and Kirkdale will prove to be a real game changer and help to radically reverse decades of decline in this area.
“It will provide a much-needed economic boost to these communities, providing thousands of affordable homes and creating massive opportunities for employment and education.
“This is so much more than about bricks and mortar. It’s about building hope and ambition. The plans for Liverpool North will act as a major catalyst for economic revival that will be felt throughout the region.”
Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council said:
“This project will supercharge plans to transform Bootle and South Sefton, bringing huge improvements to the housing stock and improving links to the city centre and beyond.
“It’s about unlocking communities, growth and housing for the benefit of residents, businesses and the wider region.”
Key projects included in the Liverpool North redevelopment plans include:
- Goodison Legacy. Working with Everton FC and Everton in the Community, the council is developing plans for the area around Goodison Park, including a new strategic walking and cycling route, the Toffee Trail, that will unlock key housing sites.
- The transformation of Bootle town centre including the creation of the Salt and Tar venue and the ongoing redevelopment of the Strand Shopping Centre to create a community-focussed and thriving town centre.
- County Road: Proposals for County Road are also being developed, with a focus on linking Goodison to the new waterfront stadium.
- Anfield: LCC is working with housing associations, commercial partners and Liverpool FC to bring forward housing and mixed-use development in the Anfield area, including a “Red Walk” connection.
- Greatie Market: a £5m investment in Great Homer Street market is expected to stimulate increased housing development in the area.
The plans for the area have been developed in collaboration with Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council and Homes England as well as other key partners including Liverpool FC, Everton FC, The City of Liverpool College, Hugh Baird College, Everton in the Community, Torus Liverpool, Riverside, One Vision Housing and Plus Dane Housing.
A formal submission for New Town status was sent to the Department of Housing, Communities & Local Government last year.
It is being considered by the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel which will support the government in the delivery of the next generation of new towns
The government says the Taskforce has received 100 expressions of interest to build large new settlements from across every region in England.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
